Twin face illuminated and reflecting sign



P. V. MAZE June 10, 1969 TWIN FACE ILLUMINATED AND REFLECTING SIGN Filed July 25, 1965 INVENTOR. er/y K Maze ;A 7TORNEK6.

United States Patent 3,448,538 TWIN FACE ILLUMINATED AND REFLECTING SIGN Perry V. Maze, Maze Sign Service, 701 Morton St., Falls City, Nebr. 68355 Filed July 23, 1965, Ser. No. 474,324 Int. Cl. G09f 13/04 US. Cl. 40-130 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A twin face illuminated and area illuminating sign having a light reflecting sign face fixedly mounted on either side of a dimensionally smaller light source and spaced therefrom, said face operable to be illuminated by said light source and to reflect light rearwardly thereof in a diffusing and crossing manner to illuminate a substantial area around said sign as well as the faces thereof.

This invention is an improvement over my Patent No. 3,076,277, issued Feb. 5, 1963, entitled, Illuminated Sign.

One object of the invention is to provide a twin face illuminated and reflecting sign, each sign face both illuminating and reflecting, the total sign structure operative to maximize not only the desirable illuminating and reflecting qualities of the individual sign faces and parts, but further produce other novel and useful sign lighting effects from the intercooperation of the parts and elements of the combined sign.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multiple face sign which utilizes a single source of illumination or single set of light sources therewith to simultaneously and effectively illuminate maximum areas of each of the several sign faces, while effectively avoiding and controlling undesired and negative illumination effects in any part of the sign.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved multiple face sign, each face having separate reflector means to concentrate and optimalize the flow of light with respect to same, yet both faces utilizing the same single source or set of sources of illumination therewith with minimum loss of light and maximum controlled utilization of the available light.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sign wherein a single source of light or single set of sources of light is employed to illuminate in a controlled, effec tive, pleasing manner a pair of sign faces of considerably larger overall area than the area of said light source or set of light sources.

Another object of the invention is to provide an illuminated sign construction utilizing but a single source of illumination or set of sources of illumination wherein said source is employed to light in controlled, uniform, yet pleasing and powerful manner a plurality of opposed sign faces, such sign face illumination being both direct and diffused, as well as enlarged with respect to the illumination source and reflectors and, additionally reflecting peripherally of and rearwardly of each said sign face; yet further, such sign face illumination effects either or both interfering and/or additionally reflecting or diffusing in a further stage with respect to the combined light reflected from the sign faces, all of these modes, stages and manners of light use and illumination operating to maximally utilize the light energy available, thereby greatly increasing the eflectiveness and value of the sign.

Another object of the invention is to improve over the sign structure and principles and features of sign illumination disclosed in my previous patent, supra, said improvements and developments numerous, multiple, effec- Patented June 10, 1969 ice tive, efficient, useful, novel and, indeed, involving novel lighting effects and physical actions, as well as greatly increasing the usability, desirability, versatility, etc. of the basic illuminating, diffusing, reflecting and re-reflecting effects of my previous sign.

Another object of the invention is to enlarge the possibilities of use and desirability of use of enlarged face diffusing-reflecting type signs by employing multiple arrays of certain elements thereof, condensing and optimally positioning certain sets of elements thereof in multiple array and so positioning the entire sign itself alone or with respect to other light handling elements as to achieve new effects and advantages.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel sign construction utilizing known elements in novel array as to be able to achieve any or all of the known effects of similar type signs while additionally producing novel and different effects of considerable versatility and variety while yet not using any additional quantity of energy or illumination to accomplish same.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course of the following description thereof.

In the drawing, which forms a part of the instant specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith, an embodiment of the invention is shown and, in the various views, like numerals are employed to indicate like parts.

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of one sign face of the subject multiple face sign construction, the other opposite face of the sign being like that shown; a portion of the sign face cut away to reveal details of the reflector construction and illumination source or set of illumination sources.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the sign of FIG. 1 taken from the right-hand side of FIG. 1 looking to the left in that figure.

FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the figures, there is provided a source or set of sources of light or illumination, optionally one or more incandescent bulbs arranged in any manner (provided that a 360 horizontal or two 180 opposed illuminating surfaces of each bulb is present), but preferably a vertically oriented set of horizontally extending fluorescent light tubes 10. Tubes 10 are received in conventional mounting connections 11 at each end thereof. The opposite end of the fluorescent tube array and mounting connections therefor is like that seen in FIG. 1. The passage, space or opening receiving the tube array and mounting connections therefor is preferably rectangular in form, relatively closely enclosing the tube array above and below by horizontal walls and 130, connected at their ends to vertical walls 14. Ballast 17a and wiring -17 for the fluorescent tube array is preferably positioned immediately outside of passage Walls 12 and 13 or Walls 14 (the latter arrangement here shown) between the reflectors to be described. Thus ballast 17a is seen in FIG 2 mounted on (and inwardly of) horizontal structurals 16 with wiring 17 to the tube connections seen to one side thereof. Tubes 10 are preferably centrally positioned with respect to floor 12, ceiling 13 and end walls 14 and preferably are equally spaced from one another vertically and in parallel array. The inner, facing surfaces of floor 12, ceiling 13 and end Walls 14 are preferably reflective and of polished metal.

A pair of reflector rings generally designated 15 and 16 are provided, those illustrated four-sided, open-ended and having frusto-conical outwardly diverging end walls 15a and 15b and 16a and 16b, respectively. Reflector rings 15 and 16 are preferably symmetrical, have their internal facing surfaces reflective, are of equal size and like configuration in opposed parts thereof and preferably have the four faces thereof outwardly diverging at an angle of about 45 from the planes, extended, of passage end walls 14 and floor 12 and ceiling 13. The end or outer edges of the reflector walls 15a-d and 16aa', inclusive, may be bent back for structural strength and support, as well as interconnection to other carrying and supporting structurals.

Translucent, rectangular and enlarged area (re the light passage and reflector area) sign face sheets 18 and 19 are positioned adjacent each reflector 15 and 16, respectively, next the reflecting sides thereof and spaced away therefrom and away from the sources of illumination. Sheet or sign faces 18 and 19 are shown in FIG. 3 in section as corrugated, but may be of any desired cross section configuration. Suitable indicia or copy (not seen) may be fixed to the faces of the sheets 18 and 19 preferably on the side thereof opposite the source of illumination. Alternatively, the translucent material forming the faces may be provided with zones or areas of greater or lesser opaqueness, etc. The factors of sizes of sheets 18 and 19, the depth of reflectors 15 and 16, the angling of the surfaces of the reflectors to one another, the positioning of the side and upper and lower edges of sheets 18 and 19 in line with the reflector surfaces extended and the spacing of sheets 18 and 19 from the outer ends of the reflectors are preferably all so selected and combined (they may be varied) that direct sight or direct line light transmission from any one or portions of any one of the fluorescent tubes 10 will not pass to the eye of an observer positioned laterally of or above or below the sign.

Sheets or faces 18 and 19 are preferably of substantially greater area than the cross-sectional area of the sign center passage receiving the light sources and, additionally, the greatest area of the reflector rings. For most uniform illumination, it is preferred that the shape of the sign faces be congruent in shape to both the shape of the light source or light source array and that of the reflector rings, which shapes are also preferably congruent. Here the passage, the reflectors and faces are all shown rectangular. The peripheries of sheets 18 and 19 preferably extend very slightly past the planes of the reflector surfaces extended. The sheet peripheries may receive thereon, optionally, but preferably, outlining, supporting and enclosing metal frames 20 and 21, same mounted at the ends of and carried by sets of elongate upper and lower structural beams 22-25, inclusive. The latter are connected at their inner ends to rectangular box arrays 26 and 27 of structurals which overlie ceiling 13 and underlie floor 12. The sets of structurals 22-25, inclusive, angle outwardly from the connection with the box arrays 26 and 27 at the corners of the reflector along the edge connections of the reflector ring faces. Secondary structural support arrays of horizontal orientation (lower 28) and (upper 29) connect at their ends to the sets of out wardly diverging structurals 22-25, inclusive, and may have vertical members 30 and 31 interconnecting same. Additional inner peripheral structural support members 32 and 33 may be employed at the outer edges of the reflector rings. The sign illustrated is a type supported from underneath with post or shaft 34 supporting transverse beam or platform 35 connected to the underside of structurals 28.

Any desired material, so long as it is translucent in the non-indicia carrying portions thereof, at least, such as frosted glass, Plexiglas, various plastics, etc. may be employed as the sign face material. Sheets 18 and 19 must be rearwardly reflective from the opposing faces thereof to a fairly substantial degree, said reflectivity effected or caused to a certain degree by the smooth or polished opposed faces thereof, but also by virtue of the particular materials or substances forming sheets 18 and 19. The relative translucence of the material of sheets 18 and 19 may vary somewhat in quantity and type, but both sheets must absorb, transmit and reflect light. Varying the light sources, reflectors and sign faces relative to size, shape and position whereby all areas of sheets 19 and 20 receive both direct and reflected light from the light sources, the reflector faces, back reflection from the sheet itself, transmissions through the center of the sign, etc. all will contribute to the desired uniform lighting effects. If desired, light reflective, light dispersing, translucent, translucentdispersing, or the like elongate material strips may be positioned within the array of light sources and running parallel therewith whereby to further disperse, diffuse, etc. the light. The frosting and shaping of the members of the light source array also has effects.

In my Patent 3,076,277, supra, wherein a single light source, a single reflector and single translucent sheet sign face were arranged in a particular manner there was produced or produceable, when the sign was positioned outwardly from a wall surface or the like, upon which the sign face could reflect light outwardly thereof, a halo or light circle effect on the said wall or backing surface surrounding the general area of the sign. By varying the position of the said additional reflecting surface rearwardly of the sign face, the halo position and form could be 'varied. Said halo effect could only result where there was a separation between the reflector and the rear of the sign face in at least a portion of the periphery thereof. The control of the position and area of the light source, the position, arrangement, size and alignment of the reflector faces, the spacing of the sign face from the reflector extremity, the size of the sign face, etc. all contributed to or effected the said described and produced halo effect.

The instant sign construction tends to produce the said halo effect behind each sign face 18 and 19, in the manner described. Varied use of this effect 'both like and different to my previous invention can be achieved with the instant sign. Thus, if there is provided a reflecting, fluorescing, diffusing, or the like ring member 36 or other surface behind and peripheral to either sign face 18- or 19 in line of travel of the light rays being reflected from the periphery thereof, the halo effect will be created to a greater or lesser degree thereon for a viewer facing that sign face. If there are such surfaces or means receiving light reflected from both sign faces, then viewers from both directions or either direction will see like or dilferent elfects, depending upon the means employed. One flat ring centrally between sheets 18 and 19 encircling the passage walls 12, 13 and 14 and mounted from post 34 and the other structurals between the reflector backs would serve the purpose. Thus contrasting and different eflects from the two reflections can be achieved for a rotating sign or a sign which one passes. Further, an effect is achieved with the instant sign not achievable with the previous sign, namely, in the absence of such light reflecting, deflecting or intercepting surface 36 or means rearwardly positioned with respect to both the said sign faces, each reflecting periphery of a sign face nevertheless tends to create a light halo elfect around the periphery of the opposed sign face to a viewer of the latter. This effect is undoubtedly due to moisture, dust, etc. particles in the atmosphere, but also to interference of the reflected rays from both sides of the sign.

Yet further, a novel lighting effect impossible of production with my previous sign is created by the instant sign caused by intermingling and interference of the rearwardly reflected bands of light rays from the two sheets 18 and 19. In the symmetrical arrangement as shown, the rings of reflected light meet peripherally of the sign array, centrally thereof, and rearwardly of or between the sign faces. This creates a central glow zone or ring of light visible on facing either sign face in perspective re same or therebetween. Thus, as an observer moves from toward a position viewing the sign at FIG. 1 to a position viewing as at FIG. 2, this glow zone shifts from a circumferential ring to a more or less broad line or band of light bisecting the side appearance of the sign. If the between reflector area of the sign structurals is covered or enclosed by light reflecting, dispersing, fluorescent, translucent, etc. sheets, this effect is enhanced and the sign becomes even more attractive.

If the instant sign structure is positioned or mounted adjacent a vertical wall surface normal to the observer in the view of FIG. 1 either to the left or right of the sign face in the view, such wall extending above the sign, the glow zone from the sign will appear on the wall surface as a single or double vertical band, depending on the lateral spacing of the sign from the wall.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope hereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An illuminated and area illuminating sign comprismg a pair of reflector rings having circumferentially outwardly diverging, open-ended reflective faces whereby said reflector rings have open outer ends of relatively greater circumference and open inner ends of relatively lesser circumference,

channel means circumferentially connecting the inner reflector ends thereby to form an enclosed passage therebetween,

a source of illumination within said channel means and passage operative to generate light rays outwardly of and into each said reflector ring,

a translucent and rearwardly reflecting sign face sheet positioned outwardly of the outer end of each reflector ring,

each said sheet of substantially greater area than the circumference of the outer end of its reflector ring,

each said sheet spaced a suflicient distance away from its said reflector ring outer end that rays of light from said illumination source reach a substantially continuous circumferential portion of the sheet outside of the area thereof directly in line with the reflector ring periphery,

each said sheet so spaced from its reflector ring and sized and shaped relative thereto that substantially no direct light rays from said illumination can pass therefrom outside the reflector without contacting said sheet thereby resulting in the rearward reflection and crossing of light rays reflected from each sheet to facilitate the lighting of said sign face sheets and a substantial area outside of said sign.

2. A sign as in claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional shape of the passage formed by the channel means and the shapes of the reflector rings are the same.

3. A sign as in claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional shape of the passage formed by the channel means, the shapes of the reflector rings and the shapes of the sheet outlines are the same.

4. A sign as in claim 1 wherein the reflector rings and sign face sheets are symmetrical in size, shape and positioning.

5. A sign as in claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional shape of the passage formed by the channel means and the shapes of the reflector rings are the same and the light producing area of the illumination source substantially fills the channel means passage.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS LAWRENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner. 

